Paradise Crime Thrillers Books 10-12 by Toby Neal

Author:Toby Neal [Neal, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Toby Neal

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Raveaux

Raveaux looked at his reservations back to Oahu on his phone. He’d called Bix and debriefed remotely. He’d gone to the modest South Hilo Police Department station and given an official statement, for the record, of his experience with the operation to capture Lia Ayabe and the meth making gang—thinking of how that sounded, his mouth almost quirked up. “That would have made a unique name for a band,” Gita’s voice said in his mind. She loved finding silly band names . . .

He was scheduled to leave Hilo.

But it didn’t feel right.

The drama unfolding around Jake’s condition was so grave; Sophie might need something, someone. He might be able to help.

Raveaux paced a bit in the musty smelling room of his motel, walking back and forth past the cheap rattan bed stand, the slippery plumeria print coverlet brushing his trouser-clad legs.

Yes, it felt wrong to leave her alone with this crisis to get through—but she wasn’t alone. Her friend Marcella had arrived; her father was with her; she was going to therapy with her psychologist, Dr. Wilson, and most clearly: she wanted nothing to do with him.

He’d done his best to save Jake’s life when he had that opportunity. He’d paid his respects to Jake’s mother and sister; he’d said his own secret goodbye through the window of the ICU to the man who held Sophie’s heart. No, truly, he had no role here. To continue to stay would only accentuate that, and cause people to wonder—as it caused him to wonder.

Raveaux straightened his shoulders. “Enough,” he said aloud. He sent Sophie a text: “Returning to Oahu. Deeply sorry for all that’s happened. Let me know if I can help in any way.”

He picked up his travel duffel and swung his old leather messenger bag, carried to hundreds of crime scenes over the years, up onto his shoulder. He stepped out of the motel room and shut the door, inhaling the briny scent of Hilo Bay, feeling the light breeze on his face, the sun on his hair.

He was alive.

Jake was no longer so, in any meaningful way. It would never be fair; nothing ever was.

And yet, he had to find a way to go on, as he had after Gita and Lucie died. Sophie would have to, as well. Maybe she’d be able to, maybe not. But for now, all he could do was keep going, and be there, when and if she ever needed him.

He called for a rideshare, and soon was on his way to the airport.

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